(07 Jan 2015, 8:42 am)GuyParkRoyal wrote [ -> ]Quite a good article for local BBC news it also made an appearance on the afternoon Look North yesterday. BBC Radio Newcastle have been running the article this morning.
(07 Jan 2015, 10:35 am)ArrivaNE_7522 wrote [ -> ]Spotted this article on the Guardian website.
http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/...teve-hurst
“I’m probably going to get in trouble for saying this but I’ll say it anyway: one of the things you tend to get with the bigger bus companies is that as they grow, they forget the little people.
Steve provides a tailor-made, personal service. I don’t just salute his entrepreneurial spirit but also his social spirit. It’s not just a business venture for him, but a social service for the Coquetdale valley."
(07 Jan 2015, 9:06 am)Jimmi wrote [ -> ]I saw it on Look North when I was at the gym and I also thought it was a good article but couldn't help but notice that the bus was pretty deserted.
I think it will end in heartbreak before long which would be a shame.
(07 Jan 2015, 8:56 am)Andreos1 wrote [ -> ]There was a feature last night on Radio Newcastle, but didn't see it last night on Look North or manage to catch it this morning.
Saw a Spirit Bus in the flesh, when I was in Alnwick the other week. Wasn't carrying many, but it was one of the short runs, to the other side of Alnwick.
@guyparkroyal What did you think of them when you were up recently? Was it a successful trip?
(08 Jan 2015, 9:18 am)GuyParkRoyal wrote [ -> ]I enjoyed my journey on the Spirit Buses #15 on Saturday and I am already planning a return visit to try a few routes on a day ticket.
As I waited for Spirit Buses I noticed the prevoius buses in Alnwick were covered in road dirt (2 Travelsure & 3 Arriva). Spirit Bus 202 turned up on time for my 14:10 journey and it was sparkling clean too I guess the driver must have called at a jet wash.
The bus departed with 14 onboard within that number there was 1 OAP, 1 child under 5 and 2 teenagers. 4 people got off the bus at two locations between Alnwick and Rothbury with no new passengers boarding on that section. At Rothbury I got off the bus along with the OAP and one adult. The remainder of the passengers stayed on the bus to depart on the next run which was a #16 Couquetdale circular.
I was impressed with the journey with excellent views of the Cheviots on the Alnwick to Edlingham section. There was a nice view into Cragside which is best seen from the rear most nearside seats.
The steep up and down hill sections of the route were interesting and I was surprised that the Dart managed with ease. The bus did appear to be very well maintained and the driver was good so that no doubt contributed to the way the bus managed to cope. The Caetano body is good you don't sem to get the rattles that come with the Plaxton versions that I am used to.
The driver was really nice and welcomed everyone on board in a friendly manner even helping the elderly lady get her shopping trolley on and off the bus.
The price of my journey was £4 for an adult single covering Alnwick Bus Station to Rothbury Queens Head.
(21 Nov 2014, 7:33 pm)passenger_10 wrote [ -> ]They only operate 2 services a day to / from the station which look like they're timed for commuters or day trippers to / from Newcastle rather than people who'd arrive at the station, then think about which bus to catch. I presume their services were on the timetable in the bus shelter?
(08 Jan 2015, 9:18 am)GuyParkRoyal wrote [ -> ]I enjoyed my journey on the Spirit Buses #15 on Saturday and I am already planning a return visit to try a few routes on a day ticket.
As I waited for Spirit Buses I noticed the prevoius buses in Alnwick were covered in road dirt (2 Travelsure & 3 Arriva). Spirit Bus 202 turned up on time for my 14:10 journey and it was sparkling clean too I guess the driver must have called at a jet wash.
The bus departed with 14 onboard within that number there was 1 OAP, 1 child under 5 and 2 teenagers. 4 people got off the bus at two locations between Alnwick and Rothbury with no new passengers boarding on that section. At Rothbury I got off the bus along with the OAP and one adult. The remainder of the passengers stayed on the bus to depart on the next run which was a #16 Couquetdale circular.
I was impressed with the journey with excellent views of the Cheviots on the Alnwick to Edlingham section. There was a nice view into Cragside which is best seen from the rear most nearside seats.
The steep up and down hill sections of the route were interesting and I was surprised that the Dart managed with ease. The bus did appear to be very well maintained and the driver was good so that no doubt contributed to the way the bus managed to cope. The Caetano body is good you don't sem to get the rattles that come with the Plaxton versions that I am used to.
The driver was really nice and welcomed everyone on board in a friendly manner even helping the elderly lady get her shopping trolley on and off the bus.
The price of my journey was £4 for an adult single covering Alnwick Bus Station to Rothbury Queens Head.
(08 Jan 2015, 10:41 am)ArrivaNE_7522 wrote [ -> ]So, does that mean Explorer tickets aren't accepted on Spirit Buses?
(09 Jan 2015, 4:42 pm)MurdnunoC wrote [ -> ]There was a short piece about Spirit Buses (and Rural Buses) which aired on You and Yours on Radio 4 earlier today.
It covers more or less the same ground other recent articles have covered.
The piece starts around 9:54 into the programme.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04xf1cx
(07 Apr 2015, 4:58 pm)mb134 wrote [ -> ]Just wondering, could they have approached Arriva?
It is quite disappointing to see both of their vehicles off the road, especially when they provide a service the big boys won't. Really unlucky, and I hope they get back up and running tomorrow
(07 Apr 2015, 5:09 pm)Tommy_1581 wrote [ -> ]I think Northumbria Rail were willing to loan them the Delta and the National, but the National is SORN.
(07 Apr 2015, 5:12 pm)mb134 wrote [ -> ]Still think that Arriva should have stepped in if they knew, didn't Ashington just get a spare X-GGO Dart, I know it probably wouldn't be the best but it's still a bus?
(07 Apr 2015, 7:25 pm)Malarkey wrote [ -> ]Anyone know much Spirit Buses paid for the two Caetano Nimbuses, simple solution would be to get something from Dawson Rentals, looking there site they have a Nimbus, also have an Enviro 200 & 300, Scania Omnicity, Optare Solo and a range of Dennis Darts Available which could fill the void on a Temporary Basis.
(17 Jun 2015, 8:30 am)Tommy_1581 wrote [ -> ]From Spirit Buses' Facebook:
You may notice some strange faces to our fleet over the next week or two as we evaluate replacements for our 'Spirit of Simonside' and 'Spirit of Coquetdale'.
They will be clearly marked with our service numbers and 'on evaluation with' notices.
Let us know what you think of each type!
Our current buses are going back after crippling maintenance costs (which I'm sure your all aware of) and to continue these lifeline rural services we need to be as efficient and reliable as possible.
(17 Jun 2015, 6:28 pm)Andreos1 wrote [ -> ]Was it ever confirmed (or identified), where the originals came from or what their history is?
(17 Jun 2015, 8:33 am)Tommy_1581 wrote [ -> ]They have a Plaxton Dart on loan from Hunters of Tantobie.
(17 Jun 2015, 8:07 pm)chrisnorthern wrote [ -> ]Confirmed as KU52 RXF, seen on service at Alnwick earlier today.
(17 Jun 2015, 10:17 pm)mb134 wrote [ -> ]Just a thought I had, as I'm sure initially they wanted Volvo single deckers, could they snatch a couple of the most reliable V-DFT Renowns that Arriva are withdrawing, and modify them so that they are DDA-compliant?
Can't imagine they would be too expensive, and they are workhorses?
(17 Jun 2015, 10:27 pm)Jimmi wrote [ -> ]Renown's would probably be too big for Spirit Buses I would have thought.
Not really sure what else they could get that is small but reliable enough, I can only really think of Solos, MPDs or Enviro 200s although the last one would probably be too new and expensive.
(18 Jun 2015, 4:21 am)Davie wrote [ -> ]What about the Streetlite Gateshead Central Taxis have/had, surely that would be affordable?